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Dusty plans to stick with Cozart in the No. 2 spot

Excellent news. That .261 OBP sandwiched between our two best hitters sure is working out. Walt did a great job of Dusty proofing the CF/lead off spot but Dusty has still found a way to stick his worst hitter in the No. 2 spot.

But Reds manager Dusty Baker has no plans on dropping Cozart in the order.

“I already had him down in the order,” Baker said. “I had down in the seventh hole probably half the time.”

Cozart has been better in the two spot (.253/.280/.370) than the seven spot (.150/.179/.333)

“You’ve got to learn some kind of way,” Baker said. “Someday, he’s going to be an excellent second hitter. We’re teaching guys how to hit at the big league level. There’s a difference between swinging and hitting.”

Re: Dusty plans to stick with Cozart in the No. 2 spot

Send Cozart to Louisville if he needs teaching. Find someone who is ready to hit at the big league level. As long as Cozart or anyone else with an OBP of .260 is batting 2nd this offense is going to struggle. That should be elementary.

Likes:

Re: Dusty plans to stick with Cozart in the No. 2 spot

Originally Posted by cumberlandreds

Send Cozart to Louisville if he needs teaching. Find someone who is ready to hit at the big league level. As long as Cozart or anyone else with an OBP of .260 is batting 2nd this offense is going to struggle. That should be elementary.

Exactly who would that person be to play SS for the Reds? Perhaps Cesar Itzuris....is Paul Janish or wilson valdez available

Re: Dusty plans to stick with Cozart in the No. 2 spot

Someday Cozart might be a good #2 hitter. But we're trying to win a championship today. Yes, you can't bat everybody down in the order. But you know who should bat down in the order? YOUR WORST HITTER.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is what a player's manager sounds like: Interests of individual player's career > Interests of the club.

Batting 7th or 8th would not prevent Cozart from learning how to be a good hitter. The fact that he's willing to sacrifice the team's ability to score runs because he thinks it creates a marginally better learning opportunity is crazy. And when you think about Dusty's usual stuff around having to prove your self and make the most of your opportunities, this is all the more frustrating.

Someday I hope we have a manager who doesn't think spots in the batting order are special positions that players have to learn.

Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.

Re: Dusty plans to stick with Cozart in the No. 2 spot

Originally Posted by RedsManRick

Someday Cozart might be a good #2 hitter. But we're trying to win a championship today. Yes, you can't bat everybody down in the order. But you know who should bat down in the order? YOUR WORST HITTER.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is what a player's manager sounds like: Interests of individual player's career > Interests of the club.

Batting 7th or 8th would not prevent Cozart from learning how to be a good hitter. The fact that he's willing to sacrifice the team's ability to score runs because he thinks it creates a marginally better learning opportunity is crazy. And when you think about Dusty's usual stuff around having to prove your self and make the most of your opportunities, this is all the more frustrating.

Someday I hope we have a manager who doesn't think spots in the batting order are special positions that players have to learn.

Really dude, it took you hearing Dusty say this to finally realize that Cozart was gonna stay in the 2 hole? It doesn't matter whether you like Dusty or not, everyone knows Cozart is probably gonna bat second! I don't think any of these comments should come as a surprise.

Re: Dusty plans to stick with Cozart in the No. 2 spot

Originally Posted by RedsManRick

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is what a player's manager sounds like: Interests of individual player's career > Interests of the club.

I wouldn't go that far. If he was concerned that much about guys "getting theirs," he would be more concerned with giving Votto/Phillips/Bruce more chances to drive guys in and Choo more run-scoring chances.

I don't mind Dusty saying this is part of their "development plan" for Cozart. He has to justify it somehow and that makes as much sense as any. Especially to folks who don't digest every syllable the man says like we're T-rexes. And you do need something to build the kid on.

Of course, that said, he shouldn't be batting second. But it ain't worth bashing your head in a door over either.

Re: Dusty plans to stick with Cozart in the No. 2 spot

Originally Posted by dabvu2498

I wouldn't go that far. If he was concerned that much about guys "getting theirs," he would be more concerned with giving Votto/Phillips/Bruce more chances to drive guys in and Choo more run-scoring chances.

I don't mind Dusty saying this is part of their "development plan" for Cozart. He has to justify it somehow and that makes as much sense as any. Especially to folks who don't digest every syllable the man says like we're T-rexes. And you do need something to build the kid on.

Of course, that said, he shouldn't be batting second. But it ain't worth bashing your head in a door over either.

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